Willem-Joost de Gier

Spear’s Review

Willem-Joost de Gier and Richard Bagnall-Smith were prompted to establish Cadell when they realised just how many art assets were held in trust. Based on this initial insight, the pair assessed how much the trustees – who are legally accountable for their decisions – relied on advice from unregulated dealers and brokers. ‘We decided to create a business devoted to solving this issue,’ says de Gier.

This more regulated offering appears to have been gratefully received, with Cadell’s clients including law firms, professional trusts, private banks and family offices across the UK, Switzerland, Channel Islands and Monaco.

Adviser Profile

With a background in corporate finance and risk management, Cadell co-founder Willem de Gier sees the firm’s mission as redefining the art advisory world.

‘In a move away from the traditional model, we have introduced professional-grade advice into a market that has historically been a small club of “trusted advisors”, many having a direct financial interest in the advice they give,’ he says.

Cadell is rare within the art market in that it is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

De Gier traces this founding principle to a revelation from his previous role as a member of the global management board of Christie’s auction house – and a run-in with his future business partner, Richard Bagnall-Smith.